Shs 2.4bn projects to boost water supply, sanitation in Mandera

MANDERA, Kenya, Feb 25 – Despite security concerns in Northern Kenya posed by the Somalia based Al-Shabaab terror group, the national government through its agencies has continued to implement mega projects.

Among them are the Mandera Water and Sewerage projects funded by the African Development Bank (AFDB) together with the National government to the tune of Sh 2.4 billion.

According to Northern Water Works Development Agency (NWWDA) CEO Andrew Rage, the projects are part of the Kenya Towns sustainable water supply and sanitation program targeting various towns across the country.

A similar project is also ongoing in Marsabit town. The NWWDA operates in six counties of Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Samburu, and Isiolo. 

Rage said that the Water project in Mandera which consists of a new water treatment plant and 230 km pipeline has a capacity to yield 16,000 cubic meters daily while the sewerage consists of 50 km of sewer lines with a capacity of treating 6,000 cubic meters of sewerage water a day.

The CEO noted the projects that are expected to be completed in the next three months will see Mandera town have sufficient and steady supply of water.

“Mandera town has a population of about 200,000 people. Once the projects are completed in the next few months, these people will have enough safe water supply and a reliable sewerage system,” Rage said.

“The two mega projects will open up the town for growth, attract more investors and businesses and hopefully reduce the insecurity incidences in the area,” he added.

Mandera County Commissioner Onesmus Kyatha appealed to the public to utilize the water and safeguard the equipment once the project is completed.

Kyatha said that the water and sewage project will transform the town and steer development in the county.

 “The project will transform the town by easing drought responses and general development including improving the livestock keeping and sanitation and disease control,” Kyatha said.

Kyatha revealed that the national government is keen on initiating more development projects in the county and reduce the marginalization gap.

 “The national government is investing more in Mandera and this is about changing livelihoods of the local population. Everyone shall be supplied with water in Mandera town,” he said.

The county commissioner said all public institutions have since been connected to both sewage and water lines in Mandera town.

Sultan Yusuf Ibrahim, a clan elder, lauded the project terming it “a savior for Mandera municipality.”             “It will be a great relief for Mandera residents to have this water at their convenience,” Yusuf said.

  Osman Ali Rakiso, a resident of Mandera, said the water project will reduce the cost of living in the town.

   “We are relying on trucks and donkey carts to supply us with water which is too expensive. This project shall provide affordable means of acquiring water because every household will be connected to water supply,” Rakiso said.

   The treatment water plant will be fed from the River Daua, treated and then pumped to Burdas hills where the water will be distributed to Mandera Town by gravity.

  Once completed, the project will be handed over to Mandera Water and Sewerage Company (MANDWASCO).